Abstract
The inferior pole fragments of patellar fractures should be reduced anatomically whenever
possible because any resection of the inferior pole fragments results in patella baja and abnormal
patellofemoral biomechanics. However, there are still no effective methods of stable fixation for
comminuted inferior patellar pole fractures. The purpose of this study is to introduce a new
method of internal fixation of separate vertical wirings for comminuted inferior patellar pole
fractures and to present the results of the wirings.
Thirteen patients with comminuted inferior patellar pole fracture were treated with 2 to 4
separate vertical wirings, which provided the sufficient strength to allow early motion without
loss of reduction during fracture healing. All the fractures were healed in anatomical position
and all the patients regained full range of motion of the knee. Loss of fixation occurred in a
patient by foiling on the ground, but the fracture was healed by the wirings again. There were no
patients with radiographic evidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis at the final follow-up. Overall
result was rated as excellent in all the patients.
The results of this study indicate that separate vertical wirings are an effective method of
stable fixation enough to allow early motion without loss of reduction during fracture healing for
comminuted inferior patellar pole fractures.